My friend is starting chemo,and iv'e offered to cook a light meal..?

Question

she is being given medication to ease the nausea, but i would like some ideas of what to prepare.....something that can be broken down into small portions and frozen for when she feels like eating........not to strong in flavor, but appetizing.....please help.....she cant eat cheese......

please include full recipie if you can.....

Answer 1

My husband went thru both chemo and radiation. He had non-hodgekins lymphoma. That is a cancer that is in the lymphatic system. The nausea medicine worked pretty well during the chemo. He also was put on prednisone during the chemo which is a steroid. He got hungry often but couldnt eat much in a sitting. I suggest chicken soups, mashed potatoes, rice of any sort, yogurt, oatmeal, jello, he actually craved peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, once in a while he ate pasta with butter.. He craved foods then that he didnt usually eat actually. Be prepared for her to taste something that she normally loves and not be able to even think about eating it! That happens to most people. He also had radiation on his chest and throat. Thats when his taste buds really were affected. He really couldnt taste a thing so eating was not his favorite thing to do. However, I got him "Boost" and "Ensure" to at least make sure that he got his vitamins in. It will be a challenge. Take it a day at a time. Chemo affects everyone differently so at this point just be prepared with a bunch of ideas and dont get frustrated if one day you have to make literally 10 different things in an effort to get her to eat. Me and my husband got thru it together and I know you will be a great help to your friend. She is very lucky to have you. Please feel free to email me if you have any more questions or just need to vent! Good luck!

Answer 2

My dad is starting chemo in a few weeks, so I've been doing a little research myself. Generally, depending on where the chemo is administered, the patient loses their taste. Basically the chemo damages (temporarily) the taste buds. Most of the time people don't want to eat anything. Try to cook something flavorful and full of protein. Beans, soups, chicken salad are all good ideas. Good luck and I hope your friend does well.

Answer 3

I find that they don't eat much after chemo although they need a lot of proteins. Their taste buds are not the same. Try giving something sweet. Sprouted pulses with lime may be a good idea too. Eating the same dish many times is not interesting. Keep a number of items in small portions in the fridge.

Recommended Foods

Wholefood e.g. wholemeal bread, brown flour, brown rice.
Fresh fruit and vegetables, as salad or lightly steamed.
Raw Cereals - muesli, nuts, dried fruit, seeds, etc.
Organically grown foods as affordable and available.
Beans, pulses, lentils, vegetables, cereals, linseed daily.
Variety - avoid dependence on any one food.
Freshly made fruit and vegetable juices.
Cold pressed oil for cooking.
Drink lots of filtered or spring water.

Avoid the Following:

Red meat i.e. beef, pork, lamb and veal.
Saturated fat e.g. milk, cheese, cream, yoghurt (use soya instead).
Smoked and salt cured foods.
Refined sugar (use honey, maple syrup or molasses).
Processed and refined foods (they contain preservatives, salt and sugar).
Caffeine in coffee, tea, chocolate and coca-cola.
Excess alcohol.
Sweet fizzy drinks.

Answer 4

After I had surgery, a friend of mine made a pot of vegetable soup -- at first I thought YUCK, but it really calmed my tummy down.

Cut up carrots, celery, potatoes, tomatoes, small amt of cabbage (too much might give her gas/pain), zucchini, mushrooms, onion, etc -- whatever you have, just make a combo. Put them in a pan and add water to not only cover the vegetables, but about 3 inches above them - this will give her extra broth. Simmer till vegis are tender -- let her season herself, she might not be able to handle the pepper, etc. She can also freeze individual portions to use later.

Answer 5

I am so sorry to hear about your friend, the recipe just has to be home made chicken soup, known as " Mother's Penicillin " . It's light and very good for you. If you look on the internet you'll find lots of recipes for it. I wish you & your friend all the very best wishes.

Answer 6

I don't have full recipes, but give stuff like mashed potatoes, or anything fattening but bland. I say fattening since, as you already know, people with cancer are told to eat differently than those of us who don't have it.

Your friend is very lucky to have you.

Answer 7

mabey u should just try some chicken broth at first to see if she can keep it down.